Further Reading
There is a wide array of libertarian literature available. The small selection of books listed below constitute a good introduction to modern libertarian thought, or address specific topics in more depth.
If reading the below encourages you to explore the historical classics by Paine, Mill, Locke and so forth, you will be able to find their works freely available at websites like the Library of Economics and Liberty and the Mises Institute.
Libertarianism In One Lesson
David Bergland
This is a comprehensively updated and rewritten edition of Bergland's classic introductory work. With insight and candour, Bergland answers the most common questions about the freedom philosophy: What exactly is libertarianism? Does libertarianism work in the 'real world'? The book lays out the central premise of libertarianism - that you own yourself - and reveals how that deceptively simple statement has an enormous impact on the relationship between government and individuals. Bergland explains where libertarians stand on welfare, the War on Drugs, poverty, the environment, taxes, terrorism, and more.
Although many of Bergland's examples focus on the United States, much of his commentary is applicable on this side of the Atlantic, and elsewhere in the wider world. In a fast-paced Q&A chapter, he contrasts the conservative, liberal, and libertarian positions on major issues. Finally, he punctures the muddled thinking that encourages people to turn to government to solve problems.
Bergland's book is a good, populist introduction to libertarian thought, and will appeal to those looking to 'get it', without wading through lots of political or ideological discussion. Libertarianism In One Lesson can be ordered direct from the publishers in America, for rapid UK delivery.
Libertarianism: A Primer
David Boaz
David Boaz is Executive Vice President of the Cato Institute, described by Rolling Stone as "the hottest think-tank in Washington." In this book, Boaz provides an immensely readable yet comprehensive overview of libertarian thought. Whether you are interested in the historical evolution of libertarianism, how libertarians approach specific philosophical and sociological issues, or simply what libertarianism has to offer in terms of guiding policy makers in today's world, Boaz's book provides an excellent introduction. It also benefits from straightforward topic-based referencing, making it easy for the reader to follow up on areas that are particularly of interest to them.
Libertarianism: A Primer is a far more comprehensive and rigorous work than Bergland's, and is available from Amazon in the UK.
The Libertarian Reader: Classic and Contemporary Writings from Lao-Tzu to Milton Friedman
David Boaz (editor)
Boaz gathers together the writings of a wide array of authors from across the ages in this readable anthology. Topics addressed include the rights of individuals, the relationship between (wo)man and the state, the operation of free markets, and libertarianism in an international, interconnected world.
The book draws together writings by such diverse authors as Frederic Bastiat, Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, John Locke, Thomas Paine, Ayn Rand, Adam Smith, Mary Wollstonecraft and many others.
A great title to dip into, The Libertarian Reader is available from Amazon.
Libertarianism Defended
Tibor R. Machan
Ever since the publication in 1974 of Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State and Utopia, libertarianism has been much discussed within political philosophy, science and economy circles. Yet libertarianism has been so strongly identified with Nozick's version of it that little attention has been devoted to other than Nozick's ideas and arguments. While Nozick's version of libertarianism has preoccupied the academic discussion, others have contributed many impressive arguments of their own in support of the libertarian idea that a political system is just only when it successfully secures the rights of individuals understood within the Lockean classical liberal tradition.
In this book, Tibor R. Machan analyses the state-of-the-debate on libertarianism post Nozick, and contrasts the libertarian approach with other modern political philosophies, such as those put forward by John Rawls. Going far beyond the often cursory treatment of libertarianism in major books and other publications, he examines closely the alternative non-Nozickian defences of libertarianism that have been advanced and, by applying these arguments to innumerable policy areas in the field, Machan achieves a new visibility and prominence for libertarianism.
A rewarding read for those who relish closely-reasoned political argument, Libertarianism Defended is available from Amazon.
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto
Murray N. Rothbard
Rothbard's book is rightly considered a modern classic. Although covering similar ground to that found in Boaz's Libertarianism: A Primer, Rothbard does not offer quite the breadth of thought found there, as he focuses on his particular 'take' on the libertarian creed. Further, the Libertarian Party and Rothbard diverge from each other in certain key policy areas; however, this widely read text is still highly recommended.
Out of print in the UK, For a New Liberty can be read online or freely downloaded as a PDF from the Mises Institute.